Tue, 18 Feb 2020
Adrian Keeling QC and Simon Hunka, of No5 Barristers’ Chambers, prosecuted Haseeb Mirza, 26, who denied the murder of Mailk Hussain in Sparkhill in July last year.
Mr Keeling had told Birmingham Crown Court Malik Hussain, 35, was stabbed in the heart in a Volkswagen Golf, pushed to the ground and stamped on after he and his friend Adeel Yousaf had entered the car, belonging to brothers Haseeb and Adeeb Mirza, with the intention of buying drugs.
The accused later took a taxi back to the scene before instructing the driver to go to a fast food restaurant.
The fatal attack was captured on CCTV on Baker Street and was said to have been provoked by the victim spilling his drink in the car.
Haseeb Mirza, 26, of St Benedict's Road, Small Heath, was found guilty of murder and acquitted on a charge of possessing a bladed weapon.
Sentencing Mirza Judge Kristina Montgomery QC said: "It was committed in the course of persistent criminal activity in which you habitually armed yourself with a knife for protection. I will sentence you on the basis that your intention was to cause really serious injury.
"I sentence you to life imprisonment.
"You will serve a minimum term of 21 years."
Jurors were told Adeeb took a flight to Islamabad the day after Mr Hussain's death but Haseeb could not get a visa.
To read more visit: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/dad-malik-hussain-stabbed-heart-17743637
